XIII. The _Cæcilia_ or _Typhlinus_, the blind Worm, as the _Greek_ word imports; not that it wants Eyes, but because they are so little, that he must be furnish’d with good Optics that can discern them: And the Ear also is as remarkably dull, therefore call’d by the _Greeks_ κωφιας[160]; of a brown Colour, full of Spots, variegated: The Belly is blackish, the Neck sky-colour’d, garnish’d with certain black Spots: Head like a Lamprey, and is as free from Poison: Little Teeth, a forked Tongue, and may be handled without hurt[161]. Footnote 160: _Quasi surdaster, quod hebetis sit auditus._ Footnote 161: _Nicander_ calls it απημαντον, quod nullam noxam inferat. _Jonstonus_, p. 19. This Serpent seems to resemble those People which we call _Myops_, _i. e._ Mouse-eyed, or purblind, which happens when the Eye is so _convex_, that the Rays of Light unite, before they come to the _Retina_, which makes the Eye also look small, whence the Name[162]. Footnote 162: From τυφλοω excæco, κωφοω, exsurdo. The _Cæcilian Serpent_ is about a Foot long, and distinguishable from our common Serpents by the Form of its Body, which is almost of the same Crassitude, excepting two or three Inches at the extremity of the Tail. _Conradus Gesner_ tells us, his Wife struck one of these Serpents on the Head, when ’twas pregnant, and it immediately cast forth its young[163]. Footnote 163: _Gesner_, p. 36. _Ælian._ XIV. The _Cencris_, or _Cencrina_ is a spotted Serpent, and very venemous; denominated from _Milium_, a small Grain call’d Millet-feed; to which Historians compare the Spots wherewith this Serpent is adorn’d: For the same reason, a certain Species of the _Herpes_, that is, a cutaneous Distemper, which is a kind of spreading Inflammation, (and is like Millet-feed on the Skin) is called _Miliary_: And by some, this is called the _Miliary Serpent_[164]. Footnote 164: _Ab aliquibus Miliaris appellatur._ Jonstonus, p. 20. This Serpent is compared by _Nicander_ to a _Lion_; either for _Cruelty_ in thirsting after Blood, or for its _Courage_, which appears in all its Attacks. How furious in all its Wars, offensive and defensive! always fighting, Lion-like, with an _erected Tail_: Which leads me to a Digression about the _Turkish Standard_, which is a _Horse-Tail erected_: The Original of that Custom was this, _viz._ One of the _Turkish Generals_ having his Standard taken in a Battle with the _Christians_, and perceiving his Men discouraged by the loss of it, he cut off a _Horse-Tail_, and fastening it to the top of a _Half-pike_, advanced it on high, crying out, _This is the great Standard, let those that love me follow it_: Upon which his Men rallied, fought like _Lions_, and obtained the Victory[165]. Footnote 165: _Tavernier._